14th February 1916

ALDERSHOT
Offered and pressed to take Temporary Commission which I refused, being my turn for a Regular Commission, and so left the Army and the Royal Medical Corps after 22 years service.

END OF THE DIARY

After discharge/retirement Henry returned to London to his family in Highbury and worked as a baker.  They had a daughter, Margaret (Peggy) in 1918, a sister to their four boys. 
Lena and Henry moved to Norfolk during WW2. 

Although it is thought that he suffered from Rheumatoid Arthritis when he left the army he lived into his 90s, receiving an army pension until he died at Stamford, Lincs, 1962. He continued to be a keen swimmer, joining with others to break the ice in the Serpentine in Hyde Park on New Years Day while they lived in London and swimming in the mined beaches of the Norfolk coast during and after WW2!

He kept up his military bearing and his waxed moustache into old age.

6th February 1916

Sgt Major Mackay calls and we go for a walk in the morning.  Visit No. 6 Gen Hosp and see Darke and Griffiths.  Darke pays me 6  francs.  Visit No.6 again in the evening.  Arrange to call on Mrs Darke.

5th February 1916 (Sunday)

Visit Rouen in evening.

4th February 1916

Stop in camp.

3rd February 1916

Felt rather swelled with rheumatism and have a very severe headache.

2nd February 1916

Take tram (from 2 pm) to Bonsecours and again visit the statue of Joan of Arc.  The view was clearer than yesterday down the river and over the town.   The cathedral and tower of the suspension bridge stood out very clearly and the numerous shipping passing the island and the Seine winding through the meadows must make a beautiful picture on a clear summer's day.  Even in the dullness of winter it looked beautiful.

1st February 1916

Severely cold night, little sleep, 3 blankets.  In morning visit Lt Qm Gaiger,  Sgt Major Worswick at Meerut Bt Hosp,  Sgt M......,  Sgts Taylor, Girling and Major Steele at No.1 Stat Hosp.  The latter gave me reference. Sgt Major Ward at no. 12 Hosp.
Had most enjoyable afternoon and evening with Sgt Major Ward.  Took the tram to monument of Joan of Arc.  Splendid ride on front of tram up the winding roads to the top of the hill from which is obtained a grand view of the town, river and country (the mist hid most of it, however). The monument and church are very beautiful.  Had tea at the Soldier's Home, very nice.  Walk around the town and then another Soldier's Home where we had some singing, returning at 10.15 pm.  Water froze inside tent.

31st January 1916

Arrive ROUEN after slow and weary and very cold journey at 10 am., No 5 General Base Depot.  Meet Sgt Major Stacey, Sgts Smith and McNeil, Lcpl Burns, Pte Terry and Qm Sgt Beardsmore.

30th January 1916  (Sunday)

Say au revoir to No. 9 Post.  Cpl Lesage said he would forward music from Paris.  Say goodbye to Detachment in Mess Room at 8.30 pm.

29th Jan 1916

Say au revoir to M. Baillet and family. Promised Madame to send a photo of Lena and the boys.

27th January 1916

Concert afternoon.  Casern Loubet.

23rd January 1916 (Sunday)

Ditto and M. Baillet's in evening.

16th January 1916  (Sunday)

Visit French pictures in afternoon.

9th January 1916  (Sunday)

Concert at Fr Red Cross.  Hosp Hotel D. and go to M. Laforge to dinner at 7 pm.

31st December 1915

Repition Mme Baillet.  Triste. Start to go to Minuit at Cathedral with Cpl Lesage but do not stop.

26th December 1915 (Sunday) 

Stopped in bed not feeling well.

25th December 1915 (Xmas)

Men's dinner at 3pm.  Concert at 5pm in hut.  Sgt's dinner 7pm and concert.

24th December 1915 (Xmas Eve)

Repition,  M. Baillet, took some holly and mistletoe.  Felt very 'triste' and homesick.

13th December 1915

Go out with car once or twice and collect trees for Hospital garden.  Plant over 3,500 bulbs.  Alter entrance and turf sides generally.  Great approval etc. expressed at improvements to ground and gardening.  Visit M. Baillet 5 to 7, English, French and music.
Aerial activity.

12th December 1915 (Sunday)

2 to 4 pm Fr Aux Mil Hosp singing, recitation, violin, cello solos.  Orchestra:  1 contra bassoon, 2 cellos, 3 violins, 1 mandolin, 1 piano.  Had a walk down town in evening.